Bipolar crash, dismissed as trauma trigger, autism confusion

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
  • My name is Xanthe Wyse. I have been diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder.
    I have been sharing some of my experiences, including the confusing process of professionals having difficulty determining whether I am on the autistic spectrum. I was told by a pyschiatrist and pyschologist in Australia that I have Aspergers but they told me they wouldn't formalise it because it's a childhood developmental disorder and irrelevant to adults. Then in New Zealand, I finally had an assessment, and they told me prior to the assessment that they do not actually give a formal diagnosis to adults unless severely impacted. And very rarely. Confused? Yes, so was I. The assessment which would not lead to an official diagnosis said I have traits in common with ASD not sufficient to fulfill criteria for DSM-V. So I don't call myself autistic. My overlap with autism has been attributed to bipolar, PTSD, social anxiety disorder. Ironically, several people on social media still insist I am on the autistic spectrum.
    Some jerk on social media told me I was a liar for sharing my personal experience with the assessment process (because I was told by 4 professionals that it is not good practise to give an autism diagnosis to adults unless 'severely impacted by it'). Because some websites say adults can be assessed in Australia and New Zealand. Being called a liar and being dismissed is a massive trauma trigger for me as a survivor of sexual violence (sexual abuse & rape). Not only an insult, but a trigger with a lot of fallout including extreme distress.
    So I've had a big emotional crash past few days after a few weeks of increased anxiety and avoidance and being triggered several times. Am recuperating but and I feel exhausted yet I can't sleep properly. Everything is out of whack. But at least my crashes are much more manageable since being on meds and understanding more what's going on.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 3